Celebrate 80 Years with No7!

 Who would have thought that No7 have been around for 80 years now, eh?! To mark this special occasion, No7 have brought out a limited edition collection specially for their 80th Anniversary which I will talk more into depth on a seperate post as well as a free gift which is yours when buying any two cosmetics. Now I know that I say this about all their free gifts however you will want to get your hands on this particular one especially as it contains a voucher to get a free lipstick!

In true No7 style, they've included a teeny sample of their Intense Volume Mascara which has a traditional bristle brush to help create lush, defined lashes without skimping out on the volume! As with all No7 mascaras, you can build it up until you've reached your desired effect. Also included is a sample of the Skin Illuminator Radiance Boosting Beauty Fluid which contains particles of iridescent shimmer which reflects the light to create a beautiful, radiant healthy glow. This is one of those multi use products that is handy to have as you can use it as both a highlighter, primer or even mixed in with your foundation.

Just like with all the previous gifts, they've thrown in an eyeshadow which is the bottom shade from the Stay Perfect Forest Fruits Trio which is a beautiful plum colour that is very glitter based which would finish off any intense smokey eye look. The last addition to the gift is one that makes this gift worth while to get as included is a voucher to receive a free No7 match made lipstick which is worth £9.95! You can either book your match made service to find out both your foundation colour and the perfect lipstick to go alongside it or you can just choose any lipstick that takes your fancy. Unforunately, this voucher is only limited to the Match Made Moisture Drench and Match Made Stay Perfect ranges so any of their heritage or sheer temptation shades are excluded altogether. 

 Will you be running out to get this awesome gift?

Rimmel Wonder'Full Mascara

I've definitely become a bit of a hoarder when it comes to makeup as I seem to buy everything that I see on offer which immediately goes into my backup makeup drawer - yes, I've become one of those people! I have more than enough makeup to last me for many years just I cannot seem to resist buying more especially when there are new products launching all the time! One said launch that I'm rather late to the party on is the Rimmel Wonder'Full Mascara which continues to be one of their more popular mascaras.

The Rimmel Wonder'Full Mascara (£7.99) is a new and improved version of the original just with the added extra of it containing argan oil. Unlike the original, this helps the lashes feel conditioned and not weighed down - no matter how many coats you apply! Combined with the ultra flex brush that has ultra-soft bristles that literally hugs the lashes, defining them from root to tip to help create clump-free, fuller looking lashes.

I will admit that I was a little skeptical when it came to using this mascara partially because I do suffer with gaps which was caused by eyelash extensions and I've literally tried everything to help regrow my lashes. However I'm not entirely sure why I was skeptical of using this mascara as although it hasn't helped regrow my lashes completely, it has helped make my lashes look fuller with every use. When used by itself, it does define the lashes more than any other mascara however I much prefer to use it for the finishing coat as it truly defines the lashes to create the ultimate fanned out look without skimping out on the volume. I wouldn't necessarily say that this is a bad mascara for what it does but it just hasn't transformed my life as much as other mascaras have.

The New Obsession || Primer Water

Out of all of the wackiest things I've bought since I've starting blogging, I would have to say that the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water (£20) has to be right up there with the Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Moist Mist as essentially you're just paying for fragranced water however the Smashbox offering is a little more than your traditional water spray. 

It's a silicone/alcohol/oil-free spray that comes with a long list of claims including the use of revitalising electrolytes in the formula which in the instructions state that you can use it before makeup, after makeup to help set everything in place or as and when needed to help liven it up. Whilst it works for me best all three ways, it works for me better as a before makeup step as just a few quick spritz gives me a dewy look, right before I've even put anything on (and anything applied afterwards just adds to the dewy look!)

Unlike most water sprays where it mists out the right out amount, the spritz on this can be rather tempremental so you can be anyway from ready to walk out the door to sitting around for 10 minutes waiting for it all to sink in and wondering if it's best to just start all over again. I personally settle for somewhere in the middle - ready to walk out the door with moisture on the skin as quick fan of the old hands makes it sinks in a lot quicker. A lot of people have been saying that this is a dupe of MAC Fix+ and whilst the ingredients lists for both do read similar in some aspects, it is a fair comment to make as they do perform similar roles despite it costing more than the MAC offering..

To sum it all up, does using the Smashbox Primer Water before/after applying makeup make things last longer? I'm not entirely sure as it's one of those products that makes the whole applying makeup feel more yet it makes it all look more professional however in terms of making things looking fresh again, it certainly ticks all the boxes!

July Favourites

Another month has come and gone and I honestly feel like this year is well and truly flying by! July has been another whirlwind of a month and has been filled with lots of impulse buys so I definitely need to start saving up again! I've mainly stuck to products that I know work wonders for me so let's delve into which products I've been loving this month..

I've really been committing to really radiant, dewy skin and as I've been working my butt off at work - literally; I've been reaching for the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water to not only create a radiant base but also to set my makeup too. This has well and truly transformed the way I apply my makeup and will remain to be a staple product in my makeup routine.

To go alongside my radiant skin, I've been bronzing myself up to look as if I've been abroad instead of spending ten minutes dusting it all over and the only bronzer that I've been using is the Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Airbrushing Bronzer in Light Bronzer. I'm not entirely sure where they got the airbrushing idea from as I wouldn't necessarily say that this gives an airbrushed finish however it does go on very nicely and lasts for hours on the skin. As it's such a light bronzer, you can easily build it up to achieve the desired bronzed effect.

Just like last month, I've been really enjoying filling in my brows so I've been using both the MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Lingering to fill in any sparse looking areas whilst using the Benefit Gimme Brow over it to even out the colour and make my brows look that little bit thicker. These two together are literally the dream team and is one that I don't want to break up any time soon yet.

I've been really trying to use up my beloved MAC Lipstick in Creme Cup not to just finish it but because I truly love the colour! It's such a beautiful pale pink yet that looks so natural yet flattering on my skin and is one of my must used lipsticks.